ACP Practice Questions Science

During a lab experiment, a science teacher set up four stations with different substances for students to examine. A table shows four labeled stations. Which station contains a pure element? Select ONE correct answer.

Answer explanation

Station 2 contains Iron Filings (Fe), which is a pure element. The other stations contain compounds: Table Salt (NaCl), Limestone (CaCO3), and Pure Water (H2O), which are not pure elements.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

• One molecule of sodium bicarbonate requires a total of four atoms.

• One molecule of sodium bicarbonate requires three atoms of oxygen.

• The chemical formula for sodium bicarbonate has a coefficient of 0.

• The chemical formula for sodium bicarbonate has a coefficient of 3.

Answer explanation

Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) contains one sodium (Na), one hydrogen (H), one carbon (C), and three oxygen (O) atoms. Therefore, it requires three atoms of oxygen, making the correct choice: 'One molecule of sodium bicarbonate requires three atoms of oxygen.'

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which scenario includes a description of velocity? Select ONE correct answer.

• Two skateboarders racing on a fifteen meter ramp

• Two skateboarders traveling north at the same speed

• Two skateboarders traveling at a constant speed

• Two skateboarders waiting at a starting line

Answer explanation

The correct choice describes velocity because it includes both direction (north) and speed. Velocity is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction, unlike the other options that lack directional information.

José’s school is about two miles from his home. José had been walking to school for 10 minutes when he realized he forgot his books and returned home. After resting for 5 minutes, José ran to school. Which graph best describes his motion? Select ONE correct answer.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Graph D best represents José's motion. He walked for 10 minutes, then rested for 5 minutes, and finally ran to school. The graph shows a period of constant speed, a flat line during rest, and a steeper line for running.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

A student who was not wearing proper safety equipment burned his finger on a pot handle. The method of thermal energy transfer that caused the student to burn his finger is — Select ONE correct answer.

• convection

• radiation

• conduction

• condensation

Answer explanation

The student burned his finger due to conduction, which is the transfer of thermal energy through direct contact. The hot pot handle transferred heat to the student's finger, causing the burn.

Jennifer, a sixth grade student, described various components of the universe in her notebook. Which description is incorrect? Select ONE correct answer.

• I. Asteroid — Small rocky object that orbits the sun.

• II. Planets — Orbit in a straight line.

• III. Comets — Made of ice, dust, and small rock.

• IV. Moon — Earth’s only natural satellite.

Answer explanation

The incorrect description is II. Planets do not orbit in a straight line; they follow elliptical orbits due to gravitational forces. The other descriptions of asteroids, comets, and moons are accurate.

This graphic was created by scientist Chester Harman who studies planets and their relationship to the stars they orbit. Which planet is least likely to sustain life? Select ONE correct answer.

• Venus

• Earth

• Mars

• TRAPPIST-1d

Answer explanation

Venus is least likely to sustain life due to its extreme temperatures, thick toxic atmosphere, and high pressure, making it inhospitable compared to Earth, Mars, and TRAPPIST-1d, which have conditions more favorable for life.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which scenario demonstrates an increase in the amount of kinetic energy of a substance as a result of a temperature change? Select ONE correct answer.

• Ice cubes are added to a glass of water.

• A car engine heats up while driving down the road.

• An oven is turned off after baking cookies.

• Pizza is placed into the refrigerator after dinner.

Answer explanation

A car engine heats up while driving down the road, increasing the kinetic energy of the engine components due to the rise in temperature. The other scenarios involve cooling or no significant temperature change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

An aqueous solution is shown. What conclusion about the solution is true? Select ONE correct answer.

• The concentration of the solvent is lower than the concentration of the solute.

• The concentration of the solvent is higher than the concentration of the solute.

• The solute is diluted by the solvent.

• The solution is not soluble.

Answer explanation

In an aqueous solution, the solute is mixed with the solvent, resulting in dilution. Therefore, the correct conclusion is that the solute is diluted by the solvent.

A diagram titled Solubility of Sugar shows three beakers labeled Sugar in Water, Sugar dissolves in Water, and Sugar in Solution. Blue dots represent water (solvent) and orange dots represent sugar (solute). How does a student increase the rate of dissolution? Select TWO correct answers.

• Increase the surface area of the solute.

• Allow the solute to settle at the bottom.

• Decrease the temperature of the solvent.

• Increase the amount of solute in the solution.

• Agitate the solution with a stirring rod.

Answer explanation

Increasing the surface area of the solute allows more sugar to interact with water, speeding up dissolution. Agitating the solution with a stirring rod also helps mix the solute and solvent, enhancing the rate of dissolution.